Michigan House Speaker Proposes Constitutional Amendment to Require Supermajority Votes During Lame Duck Sessions

Michigan House Speaker Proposes Constitutional Amendment to Require Supermajority Votes During Lame Duck Sessions

LANSING — Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall has introduced a constitutional amendment proposal that would require a two-thirds legislative vote to pass any bills during the state's annual lame duck sessions. The proposal aims to ensure bipartisan consensus on legislation passed after elections, when lawmakers have been voted out but have not yet left office.

Hall, a Republican representing Richland Township, announced the proposal during a press conference on March 17, 2026. The House GOP leader argued that lame duck sessions, which occur between the November general election and the start of the next legislative session in January, should be reserved for routine issues rather than controversial legislation.

"Too often controversial questions are delayed until after elections, when lawmakers are most insulated from the judgment of voters," Hall said during his weekly press conference. "And then after the election they try to move the bulk of legislation when they're furthest away from the voters having a say."

Under the proposed amendment, any legislation considered after an election would require a strong bipartisan consensus, specifically a two-thirds vote in both chambers of the legislature. Hall explained that this threshold would naturally encourage lawmakers to focus on consensus issues during the lame duck period.

"That's why, by making it a two-thirds vote after the election, then largely it'll be consensus issues," Hall stated.

Previous Attempt Failed to Reach Voters

The proposal would itself require supermajority votes in the House and Senate to place the question on the ballot for Michigan voters to approve or reject. A resolution to do that is currently pending on the House floor.

This is not the first attempt to implement such a rule in Michigan. Former House Speaker Jason Wentworth sponsored a joint resolution in 2021 to put the question before voters. The measure passed the state House with 102 votes to 7 but did not receive a vote in the Senate, preventing it from reaching the ballot.

The 2021 attempt would have appeared to Michigan voters in November 2022, but it ultimately failed to make the ballot. The constitutional amendment would have required a two-thirds vote of each legislative chamber to pass a bill after the even-year general election. The period between the November general election and the start of the next legislative session in January is known as a lame-duck session.

What Constitutes a Lame Duck Session

Michigan's lame duck sessions are constitutionally limited to 45 days following the November general election. During this period, the newly elected legislature has not yet convened, giving sitting lawmakers a window to pass legislation without immediate pressure from constituents who voted them out.

Critics of the current system argue that this allows lawmakers to advance controversial measures after voters have had a chance to express their opposition at the ballot box. Supporters of the proposal contend that the amendment would restore accountability by requiring broader consensus before passing legislation during these sessions.

Implications for Michigan Politics

If the constitutional amendment were to pass and go into effect, it would significantly alter the legislative landscape during lame duck sessions. The two-thirds vote requirement would make it mathematically difficult for a simple majority party to pass controversial legislation after elections.

The amendment would also affect how legislative leaders plan their agendas. Current practice often involves delaying contentious bills until after elections, when lawmakers can advance them without immediate electoral consequences. Under the proposed rule, such strategies would become impossible.

Next Steps

The House Speaker's proposal represents a significant shift in how Michigan approaches legislative accountability. While the resolution has not yet been voted on, its pending status on the House floor means it could advance in coming weeks.

The proposal has drawn attention from both sides of the aisle. Republican lawmakers generally support increased accountability measures, while some Democrats worry about limiting the ability to advance important legislation during critical periods.

The fate of this proposal depends on whether House leadership can build sufficient support to place it on the ballot. Success would require a two-thirds vote in the House, then another two-thirds vote in the Senate, before Michigan voters would ultimately decide on the measure.

About House Speaker Matt Hall

Matt Hall has served as Michigan House Speaker since 2025. A Republican from Richland Township, Hall has been a prominent voice in Michigan politics and has championed various reform proposals throughout his tenure. His proposal for lame duck accountability represents one of his most significant efforts to reshape the state's legislative process.

Hall's proposal comes at a time when Michigan politics is evolving, with new leadership in both chambers and shifting dynamics in Lansing. Whether this constitutional amendment gains traction remains to be seen, but it represents a clear statement about how the Republican leadership envisions greater accountability in Michigan's legislative process.